It all began in Constantia, the narrow bit of peninsula where Governor Simon van der Stel planted 750 hectares of vines in 1685. The South African wine industry has had many changes of fortune in the three centuries since, but this historic estate remains, divided now between five wineries. Buitenverwachting, meaning beyond expectation, belongs to the Mueller family, who have lovingly restored both its buildings and its reputation as a source of particularly elegant South African wine.

Vineyard

Grapes came from a selection of unirrigated vines between three and sixteen years old, planted on a mixture of dark clovelly and tukulu soils. Picking was staggered over a few weeks to increase complexity.

Winery

Part of the crop was whole-bunch pressed, and part given skin contact for twelve hours, followed by fermentation with five selected yeast strains for twenty-one days at 12-16ºC. The wine was bottled unoaked in June 2013.

Taste

A pale lemon-coloured wine with a bouquet reminiscent of green figs with hints of gooseberries and green peppers. Dry and full-bodied with a long, lingering finish.